Mexican Supreme Court upholds legal abortion

Mexico City is one of only a handful of places in Latin America that allow abortion without limitations in the first trimester.

Thursday's 8-3 vote supporting the Mexico City law opens the possibility that similar measures could be adopted elsewhere in Mexico. It might also inspire other leftist Latin American cities to follow suit.

The Roman Catholic church has declared itself in mourning over the expected ruling and says church leaders will redouble their efforts to fight abortion in Mexico.

Conservative President Felipe Calderon's administration had appealed the law to the Supreme Court.